Automatic tag threading machine



My 25,V 1937.

R. G. `TRAVIS. I' 2,081,285

lAUTOMATIC TAG THREADING MACHINE .Filed May'b', 1955 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 25, 1937. RG. TRM/.S 42,081,285

AUTOMATIC TAG THREADING MACHINE AUTOMATIC TAG' THREADING MACHINE Filed may s, 1955 4 shets-sneet 4 y me/2K0# E@ 6. Wai/45,

, Patented May 2.5, 193? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l 2,081,285 AUTOMATIC TAG THREADING MACHINE Roy G. Travis, Wilmette, Ill., assigner to International Tag & Salesbook Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application May s, 1935', 'serial No. 19,667

33 Claims.

The present invention relates to auto-matic tag threading machines.

Heretofore machines have been provided for automatically threading a length of string through an opening in a tag for securing the same thereto. These machines consist of a plurality of complicated mechanisms all of which must be very accurately adjusted in order to secure the desired results, and have been. very diflicult to maintain in operating condition due to the large number of parts subjected to severe wear, and because of the plurality of complicated movements involved the parts have become easily out of adjustment, and in many instances broken, thereby necessitating the complete shut-down of the machine for replacement of these broken or worn parts. i

The present invention accordingly contemplates an automatic tag threading machine which is radically different in its construction from machines which have been used heretofore, the design being based primarily on simplicity of operation wherein a minimum of movable parts has been provided to effect the necessary steps in thethreadingoperation in order to eliminate complications in the operation of the machine and the necessity for continual replacement, adjustment or repair.

The present invention. comprehends the idea of providing a` novel loopforming and threader mechanism operable substantially in a vertical plane and to which a thread or string is fed in substantially a horizontal plane.

The present invention also includes as an object the idea of providing a novel string control means which is associated with the loop forming and threader means for controlling the thread Whichis fed to the threader means in a substantially horizontal plane.

Another object within the purview of the present invention is to provide a novel string feeding and `measuring means which is constructed for the purpose. of feeding the string Vto the loop forming and threader means and for severing the desired length of string for each separate threading operation.

More particularly, the present invention comprehends the idea of operating'this string feeding and measuring means in substantially a horizontal plane, and furtherl includes means Whereby the same may be readily adjusted to measure varying lengths of string, as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is ,to provide a complete automatic` tag threading machine having various parts and elements cooperating with the parts above enumerated whereby the complete Vthreading operation may be readily and easily effected.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a tag threading machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken in the planes represented substantially by the line 2-2 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially in the plane represented by line 3-3 of Figure 2 of the drawings;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the string feeding means of Figure 1 of the drawings and the control means therefor;

Figure 5 is a detached plan View of a string control means, using the device shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of the string control means of Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure '7 is a detached plan View of threader means for the device;

Figure 8 is a plan. View of the loop threader means of the device;

Figures 9 to 12 inclusive are views showing the u tag and various stepsl in the threading operation; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of the tag showing the string as attached thereto.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an automatic tag threading machine made in accordance with the present invention is shown as comprising a base 2 havingY a top 4 suppo-rted thereon and above which various operations in the threading of string into the tags take place. Located at one end of the table or top 4 is a tag magazine V( for holding a stack of tags 8, which tags are constructed as disclosed in Figures 9 to 13 inclusive of the drawings, and preferably comprise a sheet H) of flexible fibrous material, .such as cardboard or the like, which is formed with an opening I2 adjacent one end and centrally thereof, which opening is reinforced as clearly shown in Figure 10 of the drawings by the annular members I4 and I6 secured to both sides of the sheet adjacent the opening. The present invention comprehends suitable mechanism for automatically securing a piece of string I8 to the tag I0, this securing being effected by the loop 2D on one side of the tag through which, on the other side of the tag pass the free ends of string I8, this loop securing the string to the tag.

The machine for accomplishing this threading operation automatically includes a pulley 22 mounted upon the shaft 24 journaled in the base or frame 2, this pulley being rotated by means of a belt which is driven by any suitable source of power, such as an electric motor or the like. Fixed to the shaft 24 is a sprocket 25 and a gear 28, the sprocket 2d through the chain 30 operating sprockets 32 and 34, as will be hereinafter more fully disclosed, while pinion 28 meshes with and drives a gear 36 mounted upon a shaft 38 journaled in the frame or base 2 of the device.

This gear 36 is formed with a cam groove 4i) in one face thereof within which is disposed a roller 42 secured to feeder arm 44, this feeder arm being pivoted at 45 to the frame or base 2 at one end and being pivotally connected at 48 to a feeder carriage 55, which carriage at its forward end has an upwardly projecting pin 41 which is adapted to project into the opening i2 of the lowermost tag I in the magazine 6 and move the same forwardly to the position shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings whereby the openingy IZ is disposed directly beneath the needle or threader 52 of loop forming and threader mechanism generally referred to as 54. It is understood, of course, that arm 44 oscillates intermittently to successively transfer the lowermost tag from the magazine 6 to the position as shown in Figures 1 and 3 to receive string which is attached thereto, as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings, by the mechanism to be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

Mounted in back of the gear 36 and upon the shaft 38 is a cam member 56 having a cam groove 58 formed in one face thereof and a cam groove 59 formed in the other face thereof. Operab-le within the cam groove 58 is a roller 66 secured to the lowermost end of lever 62 which is fulcrumed at 64 to the frame or base 2 and to the upper end of which, as at 10, (see Figure 8) is pivotally secured the spaced arms 66 and 68, these arms being normally pulled toward one another as by means of the coil spring 12. These arms 66 and 68 straddle a bracket 14 which has an enlarged head 16 which tends to spread these arms apart about their pivot points 10 as the arms move thereover due to the movement of lever 62 about its pivot 64. This movement of lever 62 of course is in accordance with the curvature of the cam groove 58. These arms terminate at their upper ends in the laterally disposed and curved points 18 adapted to engage the string forming the loop 2D and to spread the same apart, as will be more fully disclosed hereinafter.

Operable within the cam groove 60 is a roller 84 secured to the lower end of lever B2 which is fulcrumed about the shaft 84 secured to the frame or base 2 of the machine. The upper end of the lever 2 is provided with a transversely disposed shelf 85, upon which is mounted the threader arms 88 and 9|? by means of the pivot bolt 92. The lower ends of these arms 88 and 90 are connected together by means of a coil spring 94 which tends to maintain the upper ends of the arms in closed position and in contact with one another. The lower ends of the arms have the plates 96 attached thereto which` normally are in abutting engagement but serve to spread the upper ends of the arms 88 and 96 apart upon their engagement with a wedge member 98 secured to the table or top 2, as at |04.

Also disposed within the cam groove Sii is a roller |92 connected to arm E54 which is pivoted as at |66 to the frame or base, a second arm liii being operatively connectel o the roller |02 whereby this arm is adapted to oscillate an arm IIB connected to the shaft l2 of the loop forming and threader mechanism 54. This shaft is provided with the radially extending portion 4 which, together with a plate H6 removably secured thereto as by means of screws H8, provides a mounting for the curved needle or threader 52, this needle or threader being replaceable because of the removability of plate I5 and being provided with an open eye l2@ formed with a shoulder at the upper end thereof.

The chain 3G, as previously indicated, drives the sprocket 34 of string feeding mechanism generally referred to as 35, which is mounted upon the bracket |32 adjustably mounted upon the table 4 by means of bolts |33 in openings |35 thereof. This sprocket 34 is mounted upon a transversely disposed shaft E22 journaled in the bracket |32 and has a beveled pinion |24 mounted thereon adapted to drive a beveled gear |25 mounted upon the vertically disposed shaft i journaled in the bearing |34 provided in the bracket |32. This vertically disposed shaft |28 is formed with an eniarged head |34 disposed below the bearing 53) and abutting against the lower end thereof. This shaft E23 is rotated through shaft |22, pinion |24 and gear |26, and is provided with a transversely disposed bore |36 adapted to receive the cylindrical end |33 of the string feeding or measuringr arm |46, this arm being adjustably secured in bore |36 by means of a set screw |42. The arm |45 is provided with an integral xed jaw E44 to which is pivoted a movable jaw |46 as at |48, a cutting knife |56 being pivotally secured on the pivot |48 adjacent the movable jaw |44` and has its lower knife edge 52 disposed to Cooperate with the edge |54 of the Xed jaw |44 to sever the string, as hereinafter to be more fully disclosed. The pivotal jaw |45 is normally maintained in closed relation with fixed jaw |44 by means of a coil spring |56 mounted upon a rod |58 and disposed between abutment E66 on the arm |40 and the upper end |512 of the Inovable jaw |46, the rod |58 being provided with a tapered end received within a recess in the upper end |62 of the movable jaw whereby the rod is loosely associated with the upper end |42 of the mov-able jaw to permit movement of said jaw, the rod being guided within the transverse opening |64 of the abutment |56.

Mounted upon the table 4 is a bracket |66 having the substantially vertical supports |68 and |10 and upon which are mounted rollers |12 and |14, respectively, substantially in the path of movement of the movable jaw |46 and the movable cutting element |50, respectively. At one point in the travel of the string feeding and measuring arm |43, the upper end |62 of the movable jaw |46 engages roller |12 whereby the jaw is moved away from the fixed jaw |44 about its pivot |48 to release the string carried thereby. The string, however, which has been carried along during the movement of the arm |40 is disposed in position to enter between jaws |44 and |46 when` opened, and after the upper end |62 of movable jaw |46 passes over roller |12 and closes this string is grasped between jaws |44 and |46 whereby the string is again carried along, as will be later described. The roller |14 is in the path of the lower end of movable knife and when this knife engages with the roller, the same is moved toward the edge |54 of jaw |44 to sever the end of the forward section or length of string which has been previously released from between jaws |50 and |44, as will be later` described more in detail, this movement of the knife |50 being limited by the pin |16 fixed to the upper end |62 of the movable jaw and operable within slot |18 in the upper end of the knife.

The string |80, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, is drawn from a suitable source'by the string feeding and measuring arm |40 through opening |82 formed in the top' or table 4 and through a tensioning device |84 and around the hook shaped guide |86. The string, after being gripped betweenA jaws |4'4y and |46, is drawn through the tensioning device |84 from the source and carriedaround pins |88Yand' |99 of the string control means, generally referred to as |92. This string control means comprises a plate |94 xed to the top 4 of the machine and the intermediate and top spring plates |96 and |98, respectively, these plates being provided with spaced arms forming a slot 200 to receive the threader 52 and mounting therefor whereby the same is operable within a plane normal thereto. The arms of plates |96 and |98 are loosely secured to the plate |94 by means of the bolts 202 and 204 and washers 206 and 208 are interposed between plates |94 and |96 and |96 and |98 to properly space these plates. The plate |96 at the end opposite the arms thereof is secured to plate |94 by rivet 2|0 and spaced therefrom by the washer 2|2. Intermediate the rivet 2|0 and bolts 202 and 204 are the bolts 2|4 and 2 I6 passing throughopenings 2|8 in the lower plate |94 and being secured to the intermediate spring plate |96. Spring plate |96 is held in association with plate |94 by means of the coil springs V22|! intermediate the heads of the bolts 2| 4 and 2|6 and the under side of plate |94. Plate |94 is formed at its other end with openings 222 and 224 into which project the pins |88 and |90, respectively, which are connected to the arms of plate |98 and pass downwardly through openings 226 in the arms of plate |96, plate |96 adjacent these openings being provided with the protuberances 228 normally held in engagement with the plate |94 by means of springs 220. Fixed to the arms of plate |94 are pins 230 and 232 which project upwardly through openings 234 and 236 formed in the arms of plates |96 and |98, respectively.: Pins |88 and |90 are normally disposed within the openings 222 and 224 under the action of spring plates 238 and 240, which have an end engageablewith the arms of the plate |98 adjacent the pins 230 and 232 and an end secured to the bolts 202 and 204 between the nuts 242 thereforand the upper surface of the arms of plate |98. P ins |88 and |90 are moved upwardly out of the openings 222 and 224 of the plate |94 during certain operations of the machine by the inner end of plate |98 which has a protuberance 244 engaged by the protuberance 246 formed on the under surface of the enlarged head |34 of the shaft |28.

For the purposes of illustrating the operations of this machine, let us assume that the string measuring arm has passed the roller |14 and the knife member |50 has been operated to sever a portion of string preceding the portion of string the end of which is secured between the fixed and movable jaws` |44 and |46. The arm |40 is rotated in a counterfclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2- of the drawings, and with the end of the stringl between the jaws |44 and |46 `which has been previously threaded, is discharged from table 4 in the manner to be presently described, and the feeder carriage 50 has moved to present another tag with its opening I2 disposed. directly below and in the path of movement of the threader or needle 52. After the tag 8 has been moved to this position, the projection 41 of. the feeder carriage 50 drops downwardly out of en` gagement with. the opening |2 and is moved by arm 44 beneath the magazine 6 to engage the next tag which is to be moved intoa position for threading. As the feeding arm |40 continues its. counter-clockwise movement, the string |80 successively engages protuberances 228 passing between the same and the plate |94 to engage pins |88 and |90 substantially as shown in Figure 5. The arm then continues this counter-clockwise movement slightly beyond the position of the arm as indicated in Figure 5, at which timezprotuberance 246 of the rotating head |34 engages the protuberance 244 of plate |98 to move pins |88 and |98 upwardly whereby the central part of the string passes around pins 230 and 232 and into a position to be engaged by the shoulder of eye |20 of needle 52. The pins |88 and |90, after disengagement of protuberances 244 and 246, return to their normal projecting position within openings 234 and 236. The jaws continue to move `in a circular path into a position substantially opposite the roller |12. During this travel the needle or threader 52 is moved downwardly ina circular path by the lever arm |08 and when thejaws are in the vicinity of rollers |12 and |14 engages the central portion of the string, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. Continued downward movement of needle 52 causes the central part of the string (which has been cut as will be described) to be threaded through'opening l2 to form a loop on the under side of the tag 8. After this loop has been formed, the string forming the loop is engaged by the laterally projecting portion 18 vof the arms 66 and 68 and spread apart, as shown in Figure l1 of the drawings, it being understood that lever 62 has been operated to move arms 66 and 68 to a position to engage the loop and to engage wedge 16 to effect a spreading of the loop. These spreader arms 66 and 68 therefore form an enlarged loop on the under side of the tag and` tend to `pull this loop away from the tag, as clearly indicated in Figure 1l of the drawings.

It is of course understood that previo-us to the complete formation of this loop on the under side of the tag, the arm |40 has rotated whereby the roller |12 has engaged the upper end |62 of the movable jaw |46 to release the forward end of the string |80 which has been moved in a circular path, as above described. Immediately upon` release of this end of the string, the string is again grasped between the jaws |44 and |46 as the arm |46 passes beyond roller |12. 'Ihe arm |00 proceeds in its counter-clockwise movement whereby the roller |14 immediately engages knife |59 to move the same and to cut the forward end portion of the string which is to form the loop of Figure l1 of the drawings. It isv after this cutting operation that the threader 52l completes the loop through the opening |2 of the tag andthe arms .1

and 68 engage the same to form an enlarged loop and to draw this loop away from the tag. During the formation of the loop, lever 82 has been moved as described, and as the loop is being enlarged the iingers 88 and 98 moved thereby pass through the loop and upon engagement of the plates 96 thereof with wedge member 98 are opened to embrace the free ends 258 and 252 of this cut section of string. The arms are closed upon disengagement of Wedge 98 with plates 96 whereby these free ends 256 and 252 are disposed and held between the forward ends of arms 88 and 90. The movement of the lever 82 is such as to draw these free ends through the enlarged loop, as clearly shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, to secure this section or portion of string to the tag 8.

During the final step of drawing the free ends 25|] and 252 through the loop, the arms 66 and 68 are again brought together under the action of spring 12 by movement over the wedge T6 to release their engagement with the loop whereby the tag 8 may be discharged after the free ends 258 and 252 have been drawn through the loop by the arms 88 and 98. During this final step in the operation, the arm |48 has continued to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and to draw another section or portion of string around the pins |88 and |98, and as will be noted in Figure 5 of the drawings, this section or portion of string is being drawn into position to be released by pins |88 and |98 before the completed threading and tying of the previously cut section or portion of string has been effected.

It will be noted that the length of string secured to the tags I0 is dependent upon the effective length of the arm |40 about the shaft |28 which provides its axis of rotation. When it is desired to increase the length of string being secured to the tags, the bracket |66 which is adjustably secured by the bolts 254 and 256 to the table top 4 may be moved outwardly away from the axis of rotation of the arm |46 and again secured in this adjusted position by the bolts 254 and 256 which may pass through any selected openings 258 and 260 provided in the table top 4. The bracket |32 is then moved outwardly and again secured by bolts |33 in an adjusted position so that jaws |44 and |46 will deliver the string to pins |88 and |90 of the string control means |92 when the arm |48 has been adjusted. The arm |40 is then adjusted to conform with the movement of brackets |32 and |66 and secured in its adjusted position by the set screw |42 whereby the movable jaw |46 and knife |56 will be properly operated by rollers H2 and |14, respectively.

The tags 8, after having a piece of string secured thereto in the manner described, are discharged from the table top 4 by discharge means, generally referred to as 262, which comprises a carriage 264 pivoted at 263 and rocked by a cam operated shaft 265, a spring 261 being provided to normally hold the carriage in spaced relation to the table 4. At one end of the carriage is mounted a series of rollers 256 each of which is provided with a beveled gear 268 operated by a beveled gear 210 mounted upon shaft 272 which has the sprocket 32 mounted thereon and which sprocket is driven through the sprocket chain 30, as previously described. This carriage is normally held out of engagement with the tag 6 being threaded, but after the threading operation has been completed, the carriage 262 is lowered by the cam operated shaft 265 to bring the first roller 266 of the series into engagement with the tag 8.

The tag is successively engaged by the rotating rollers 266 to move the tag transversely over the table top 4 and to discharge the same in front of the machine. The movement of the carriage 264 is only slightly greater than the thickness of the thin cardboard tags and this movement can take place upon operation of the cam operated shaft 265 because of the clearance provided between the teeth of gears 268 and 210.

It is to be clearly understood that the machine is entirely automatic in its operation from the step of feeding the tags to the discharging of the tags from the machine, and that the steps of operation above described take place simultaneously and successively, as indicated, to perform the completed operation.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend i other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an automatic tag threading machine, the

combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, means for supplying a length of string to be tied to said tag, means for looping said string through an opening in said tag, means for controlling said string, said control means being associated with said looping means, said feeding and looping means being so constructed and operated that a length of string is disposed in association with said control means to be operated on by said looping means in its sequence of operation, and means for drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same to said tag.

2. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplying a length of string to be tied to said tag, means for looping said string through an opening in said tag, means for controlling said string, said control means being associated with said looping means, said feeding and looping means being so constructed and operated that a length of string is disposed in association with said control means to be operated on by said looping means in its sequence of operation, and means for drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same to said tag.

3. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplying a length of string to be tied to said tag. means oscillatable in a different plane than said supply means for looping said string through an opening in said tag, means for controlling said string, said control means being associated with said looping means, said feeding and looping means being so constructed and operated that a length of string is disposed in association with said control means to be operated on by said looping means in its sequence of operation, and means for drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same to said tag.

4. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, a combined string measuring and cutting means for supplying a length of string to be tied to said tag, said means alternately gripping and releasing said string whereby a length of string is measured and the next successive length of string is gripped prior to the operation of said cutting means to sever said first-named length of string, and means for looping said string through an opening in said tag and drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same to said tag.

5. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, a single rotatable arm including cutting means for drawing string from a source of supply and delivering a length cut therefrom to a loop forming means, and means for looping said string through an opening insaid tag and drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same to said tag.

6. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for feeding a tag into a position for threading, a rotatable arm including cutting means for drawing string from a source of supply and delivering a length cut therefrom to a loop forming means, said means alternately gripping and releasing said string whereby -a length of string is measured and the next successive length of string is gripped prior to the operation of said cutting means to sever said firstnamed length of string, means for controlling said string, and means for looping said string through an opening in said tag and drawing the free ends of said string through said loop to secure the same `to said tag.

7. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means for disposing a length of string to be looped by said looping means and for controlling the string to be looped through the next successively fed tag, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

8. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to sai-d tags, means for looping successively deliveredlengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means for disposing a length of string to be looped by said looping means and for controlling the string to be looped through the next successively fed tag, means operated by said rotatable means for operating said control means, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the. same to said tags.

9. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combinationv of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplyingsuccessively lengths of string to be `tiedto said tags, said means comprising a rotatable arm having means for releasably hold- .ing said string and for severing desired lengths therefrom, means for looping successively delivered vlengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means for disposing a length of string be looped by said looping means and for controlling thestring to be looped through the next successively fed tag, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string `through said loops to secure the same to said 4,10.,In arrautomatic tag threading machine,

the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, said means comprising a rotatable arm having means for releasably holding said string and for severing desired lengths therefrom, means for controlling operation of said means for releasably holding and severing said string, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through open- "ngs in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means for disposing a length of string to be looped by said looping means and for controlling the string to be looped through the next successively fed tag, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

11. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a' position for threading, rotatable means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, said means comprising a rotatable arm having means for releasably holding said string and for severing desired lengths therefrom, means for controlling operation of said means for releasably holding and Ysevering said string, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openin Ysaid tags, control means cooperating with said looping .means for disposing a length of string to be looped by said looping means and for controlling the string to be looped through the next successively fed tag, means operated by saidY rotatable means for operating said control means, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

12. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, rotatable means for supplying successively lengthsof string to be tied to said tags, said means comprising a rotatable arm havingmeans for releasably holding said string and for severing desired lengths therefrom, means for controlling operation of said means for releasably holding and severing said string, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means for disposing a length of string to be looped by said looping means and for controlling the string to be looped through the next successively fed tag, means operated by said rotatable means for operating said control means, r .eans for withdrawing said loops from said looping means and to spread the same, and means for successively drawing the free ends ofsaid lengths .ci string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

13. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a string feeding means comprising a single rotatable arm provided with fixed and movable cooperating jaws for holding said string therebetween, a movable cutting element associated with said fixed jaw, and means for moving'said movable cutting element and jaw whereby a length of said string `is released from 1oetween said jaws and the same severed from the string supply.

14. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a stringvfeeding means comprising a single rotatable arm provided with xed and movable cooperating jaws for holding said string therebetween, a movable knife member mounted on said fixed jaw and cooperating with a knife edge thereof for severing said string, and means for moving said movable jaw for releasing said string from between said jaws and for grasping another portion of said string, and means for moving said knife member to sever a length of string from the string supply adjacent the portion grasped by said jaws.

15. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a string feeding means comprising a rotatable member provided with means for releasably holding said string, control means cooperating to operate said releasable string holding means, and means for adjusting said rotatable member and said control means for feeding various lengths of string.

16. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a string feeding means comprising a rotatable member provided with means for releasably holding said string, control means cooperating to operate said releasable string holding means, means for adjusting said rotatable member and said control means for feeding various lengths of string, and means for severing said string at the desired length.

1'7. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of string feeding means, string threading means, and control means for said string, said control means comprising means for po I tioning a length of string during a period 0f Jeration of said feeding means, and means for 'f-rrsitioning said length of string for engagement by said string threading means.

18. A string control device, comprising a plurality of cooperating plate members, a plurality of stops for holding a length of string in one posi.- tion, and a plurality of stops for holding said string in another position when released by said first named stops.

19. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combiantion of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means, said control means having stop means for holding a length of string during a period of operation of said feeding means and stop means for positioning said length of string for engagement by said looping means, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

20. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means, said control means comprising a plurality of cooperating plate members, stop means associated with said plate members for holding a length of string in one position and for holding said string in another position for engagement by said looping means when released from said first-named position, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

21. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means, said control means having stop means for holding a length of string during a period of operation of said feeding means and stops means for positioning said length of string for engagement by said looping means, means for controlling said stop means to transfer said string from one position to the other, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

22. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with sa1d looping means, said control means having stop means for holding a length of string during a period of operation of said feeding means and stop means for positioning said lengths of string for engagement by said looping means, means associated with said feeding means for controlling said stop means to transfer said string from one position to the other, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

23. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means, said control means comprising a plurality of cooperating plate members, stop means associated with said plate members for holding a length of string in one position and for holding said string in another position for engagement by said looping means when released from said first-named position, means for controlling said stop means to transfer said string from one position to the other, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

24. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means cooperating with said looping means, said control means comprising a plurality of cooperating plate members, stop means associated with said plate members for holding a length of string in one position and for holding said string in another position for engagement by said looping means when released from said first-named position, means associated with said feeding means for controlling said stop means to transfer said string from one position to the other, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

25. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means associated with said looping means, said control means having means for receiving drawn string from said supply and means for simultaneously positioning severed lengths of string for said looping means, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

26. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a string feeding means cornprising a rotatable member provided with means for releasably holding said string, means for adjusting said rotatable member for feeding varying lengths of string, and control means cooperating with said releasable string holding means for operation thereof.

27. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of a string feeding nmeans, said means comprising a rotatable member provided With means fonreleasably holding said string and means for severing said string. at the desired length, means for adjusting said rotatablemember for feeding varying lengths of string, and control means cooperating with said releasable string holding means and severing means for operation thereof.

28. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, control means associated with said looping means, said control means having means for receiving drawn string from said supply and means for simultaneously positioning severed lengths of string for said looping means, said string supplying means having means cooperating with said control means for operating the same, and means for successively drawing the free ends of said lengths of string through said loops to secure the same to said tags.

29. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of means for successively feeding tags into a position for threading, a rotatable head having a radially extending arm provided with means for supplying successively lengths of string to be tied to said tags, means for looping successively delivered lengths of string through openings in said tags, ycontrol means associated with said looping means, said control means having means for receiving drawn string from said supply and means for simultaneously positioning severed lengths of string for said looping While said first length of string is moved by said threading means.

31. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of string feeding means, string threading means, control means for said string, said control means having means for ,positioning a length of string for engagement by said string threading means, said control means being further provided with positioning means for another length of string fed by said feeding means while said first length of string is moved by said threading means, and means for transferring said lastnamed length of string from said second-named positioning means to said 'rst-named positioning means.

32. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of string feeding means, string threading means, control means for said string, said control means having means for positioning a length of string for engagement by said string threading means, said control means being further provided with positioning means for another length of string fed by said feeding means While said first length of string is moved by said threading means, and means for operating said control means for transferring said last-named length of string from said second-named positioning means to said first-named positioning means.

33. In an automatic tag threading machine, the combination of string feeding means, string threading means, control means for said string, said control means having means for positioning a length of string for engagement by said string threading means, said control means being further provided with positioning means for another length of string fed by said feeding means While said first length of string is moved by said threading means, and means on said feeding means for operating said control means for transferring said last-named length of string from said secondnamed positioning means to said first-named positioning means.

ROY G. TRAVIS. 

